Hellenic Air Force Texan flies again
After restoration to airworthy status, Elliniko Polemiki Aeroporia (Hellenic Air Force, HAF) North American T-6G Texan 49-3424 (c/n 168-548) made its first flight on 24 October 2024. The trainer has survived on static display in the museum of Dekelia-Tatoi since September 1988, but has now returned to life.
The Hellenic Air Force used many versions of T-6 airplanes of British and American origin, 108 examples all together. Greek pilots were trained in British Harvard Mk.I, in Rodesian flight schools during WWII.
After 1945, British Harvard Mk.IΙ Α/Β and Mk.III were delivered to Greece, supplemented later by American Τ-6D/G. From 1947 to 1969 (retirement date) the Τ-6D/G was the main training airplane of the Hellenic Air Force Flight School, known today as Hellenic Air Force Academy. They were extensively used during the Greek Civil War, under the 345,346 and 347 Reconnaissance Flights, in reconnaissance and Counter Insurgency missions.
Delivered on 25 April 1958 under MDAP, 49-3424 was in fact one of the last operational Texans in the HAF, one of the three which were struck of charge on 12 March 1969.
Photo: Fred Willemsen via AirHistory.net